The Five Pillars of Islam

The five pillars of Islam are the framework of Muslim’s life. They are the testimony of faith, prayer, giving zakat (support of the needy), fasting during the month of Ramadlan, and the pilgrimage to Makkah one in a lifetime for those who are able.
1. The Testimony of Faith
The testimony of faith is saying with conviction, ” La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammadur rosuulu Allah.” This saying means that ” There is no true god but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger (Prophet) of Allah.”
2. Prayer
Muslims perform five prayers a day. Prayer in Islam is a direct link beetwen the worshipper and Allah. There are no intermediaries between Allah and the worshipper.
3. Giving Zakat (Support of the Needy)
The original meaning of the word zakat is both purification and growth. Giving zakat means giving a specified percentage on certain properties to certain classes of needy people.
4. Fasting the Month of Ramadlan
Every year in the month of Ramadlan (the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which is lunar), Muslims fast from down until sundown, abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relatons.
5. The Pilgrimage to Makkah
The pilgrimage (Hajj) to Makkah is an obligation once in a lifetime for those who are physically and financially able to perform it.